Written by Bronwyn Paxton Bulawayo The second biggest Zimbabwean city after the capital of Harare, Bulawayo holds an approximate urban population of around 730,000 (according to 2007 surveys). The city is situated in Matabeleland, 439 kilometres south west of Harare. Bulawayo is now treated as a separate provincial region from Matabeleland, making it a stand-alone province. Bulawayo is also referred to as the ‘City of Kings’, ‘Skies’, ‘Bluez’, ‘Bulliesberg’ or ‘KoNtuthu ziyathunqa’ which is a SiNdebele term meaning ‘place of smoky fires’. Most of the population of Bulawayo is of the Ndebele ethnic and language group. The city has long been and still is known as the industrial and business centre of Zimbabwe, and contains the National Railways of Zimbabwe due to its prime position near both Botswana and South Africa. It is the closest city to Hwange National Park, Matopo National Park and the mighty Victoria Falls.

‘Bulawayo’ is derived from the SiNdebele word ‘KoBulawayo’ which means ‘a place where he is being killed’. It was aptly named due to the fact that King Mzilikazi once used this area to kill off his enemies. However, despite the origin of its name, the city has a very relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere to it, boasting boulevards lined with trees and a feeling of refinement. Recently, Bulawayo has undergone a harsh drop in living standards due to the extreme economic crisis that has been affecting the country. Presently, the city is home to the biggest opposition of Robert Mugabe. Its primary issues to face include poor investment and widespread unemployment. Because of the lack of expansion in facilities and supplies, water shortages have become more frequent since 1992. Bulawayo is located on a plain that signifies the Highveld of Zimbabwe, and is situated near to the watershed between the Zambezi and Limpopo drainage basins. The land slowly slopes downward to the north and northwest, while the southern side boasts more hills. The city’s land becomes more broken heading southward to the Matobo Hills.

Because of its high altitude, Bulawayo has a subtropical climate in spite of being located within the tropics. The city receives a yearly rainfall of about 590mm, which supports a natural stretch of vast woodland, covered in Combretum and Terminalia trees. However, being situated close to the Kalahari Desert, Bulawayo is prone to droughts and rainfall tends to differ harshly each year. When visiting Bulawayo, be sure to check out Matobo National Park – a region of big rocks and wooded valleys beginning around 35 kilometres south of the city. The Museum of Natural History is also most definitely worth a visit, especially seeing as it is the biggest museum in the entire southern hemisphere, with more than 75,000 exhibits and displays. The Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage is located just 23 kilometres from Bulawayo. It was founded by well-known Viv Wilson and started as a sanctuary for abandoned, wounded or orphaned wild animals but has developed in size into a regional Centre for the Conservation and Research of Endangered Species. The creatures now found here include rhino, cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena and duiker.

Bulawayo is set in a prime location, and makes for a wonderful stopover during any visit to Zimbabwe. Image courtesy of Bulawayo | Zimbabwe | Expert Africa Excellent Bulawayo Home to over a million inhabitants, Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second-largest city and the capital of Matabeleland. Once an industrial centre, it has lost some of its wealth but is still a vibrant city with an atmosphere of shabby gentility. So come for a day or two to explore museums, lovely parks, arts and crafts shops and reserves in the immediate vicinity. Bulawayo has a key location on Zimbabwe’s road network, and with good air links to Johannesburg it’s also an efficient entry and exit point. Thus travellers usually pass though Bulawayo when travelling between Matobo Hills National Park and Victoria Falls, Harare or Hwange National Park. What to do and see: activities in Bulawayo Bulawayo’s broad, tree-lined boulevards are bordered by slowly fading colonial buildings of an early Victorian architecture, their verandas alive with the hustle and bustle of urban Africa.

Soak up the atmosphere whilst strolling through the streets, wander through the botanical gardens or one of the beautifully laid-out parks, and try restaurants known for excellent steaks. You can even go swimming: next to the botanic garden is Bulawayo’s outdoor swimming pool, whose brightly coloured changing cubicles have the charm of a 1920s movie. There’s also plenty of opportunity for shopping. Just out of town along the Old Falls Road, the Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre offers a range of locally crafted souvenirs such as sculptures, basketry, pottery, beadwork and woodwork. Induna Arts and Fazak Gift Centre are other curio shops worth browsing through. For relatively Western-style shopping, head for the Bulawayo Centre and Bulawayo City Hall. Museums in Bulawayo Bulawayo is home to a few interesting museums, some of which are of national importance. Below is a selection of those most popular with visitors. The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, which was opened in 1964, illustrates the country’s history, mineral wealth and wildlife. You’ll also find the world’s second-largest mounted elephant here.

Bulawayo’s National Gallery is a branch of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. It’s based in the attractive two-storey Douslin House on Main Street, which dates back to the turn of the century. Travellers interested in historical railways might like to visit the Bulawayo Railway Museum, next to the city’s railway station. Its exhibits date from 1897, and include the personal railway coach of colonial mastermind Cecil Rhodes. Around Bulawayo: game parks and reserves If you’re tired of urban life and would like to indulge in nature, consider one of the nature reserves and game parks near Bulawayo. Less than an hour's drive from Bulawayo is Matobo Hills National Park , formerly known as Rhodes Matopos National Park. As you leave the city to the south, increasingly big granite outcrops come into view, until you enter the dramatic, rugged scenery of the Matobo. Just 22km west of Bulawayo lie the Kame Ruins, a UNESCO World heritage site that dates from the late Iron Age. The surrounding area is protected by the Mazwi Nature Reserve, where you can go on walks and drives.

Only a 30-minute drive from Bulawayo, Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage and Research Centre is home to orphaned and sick animals, including lion, cheetah, leopard, black rhino, several antelope species and a variety of birds. Geography of Bulawayo Bulawayo is located on a plain in the south-west of Zimbabwe, near the watershed between the Zambezi and the Limpopo drainage basins. The city slopes gently down to the north and north-west, whereas to the south the terrain is more undulating, merging into the Matobo Hills. At an altitude of 1,350m above sea level and mostly cooled by a south-eastern airflow, Bulawayo enjoys a very agreeable sub-tropical climate. History of Bulawayo Bulawayo’s historical importance lies mainly in its early days. It was founded in 1870 by King Lobengula and was originally named koBulawayo. Meaning ‘place of suffering’ or ‘place of rejection’, the old name refers to the bloody tribal wars fought here during the creation of an Ndebele nation and King Lobengula’s ascension to the throne.

Bulawayo’s mineral resources meant that the Ndebele weren’t the only people interested in the land. Conflicting interest came from the armed forces of the British South Africa Company (BSAC), led by Cecil John Rhodes, and the resulting Anglo-Ndebele wars eventually forced Lobengula to flee Bulawayo in 1893. Under the rule of the BSAC, Bulawayo became a flourishing town of traders, prospectors and European settlers, whereas the Ndebele were increasingly exploited and discriminated against. This, along with a long drought and a plague of cattle disease, led in 1896 to a brief, bloody uprising known as the second Matawelele War. Although the Ndebele were outnumbered by Rhodes’ forces, and had to retreat into the Matobo Hills, their guerrilla resistance forced Rhodes to make concessions when he eventually negotiated peace. Yet only a year later the nation was officially named ‘Rhodesia’ after its colonial ruler, and the white-minority government that was installed attracted more and more European settlers. Over the next century, Bulawayo’s part in the country’s development declined.

In the 1970s, during the war of liberation, the city was closely associated with the ZAPU forces, led by Joshua Nkomo. However, after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, ZAPU, Joshua Nkomo and indeed Bulawayo were all effectively sidelined by Robert Mugabe and his more powerful ZANU PF – who consider Harare to be their home city. Thus Bulawayo remains very much less important in the government’s eyes than the capital, Harare. Economic development of Bulawayo Bulawayo’s railway connections with Zambia, Botswana and South Africa initially made it an important hub of Zimbabwe’s transport and economy, home to many big concerns and industries like metal engineering and textiles. However, the breakdown of the railway and the consequent relocation of many companies to Harare deprived Bulawayo of its economic importance. The result was a deterioration of wide parts of the infrastructure and a decline in service delivery. Today, fuelled by the economic crisis that beset Zimbabwe in the early part of the 21st century, unemployment rates are high, and many people have returned to farming and mining.

Other, longer-existing factors such as the lack of a reliable water source in the area and the discrimination against the Ndebele people have added to these problems. That said, Bulawayo still retains most of Zimbabwe's remaining heavy industry and capacity for food processing. In addition, the employment statistics do not include those working in the bustling, informal sector. As you walk through the streets of Bulawayo, it certainly feels like a busy city with plenty of people going about their business. Enquire now History of Bulawayo City, Zimbabwe :::: Bulawayo1872.com google ads History of Bulawayo City, Zimbabwe Bulawayo: From Town to International Destination City Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital city, Harare. Bulawayo is a city rich in cultural history and a must visit for anyone coming to Zimbabwe . It is one of the oldest and historically most important of Zimbabwe's towns. Certainly one cannot say that they have experienced the full range of Zimbabwe's diversity if they have not been to this bustling city in the southern ï¿½western part of the country of Zimbabwe . Bulawayo is one of the country's most attractive cities and a major transport hub for Southern Africa.

Bulawayo was the capital of the Ndebele State when Lobengula , son of the King Mzilikazi , ascended to the throne. Lobengulaï¿½s initial royal town, established in 1872, was located about 14 miles of the present day city, on a ridge dominated by the Thabas Inyoka - ï¿½hill of serpentsï¿½. This town has been rebuilt and is known as ï¿½ old Bulaway oï¿½. Lobengula eventually moved his royal town, and the locality of the modern Bulawayo city was chosen by King Lobengula and he also named his royal town Bulawayo, which is the Ndebele word for ï¿½the place of slaughterï¿½, in recognition of an armed struggle that Lobengula was involved in when he ascended to the throne, i.e. ï¿½He was being opposed and persecuted by his opponents- and he came out victoriousï¿½.

On 4 November 1893, a tattered Union Jack flag in whose centre was emblazoned the lion emblem of the British South Africa Company was tied one of the tree's branches on the side of Bulawayo drive. In the distance, the huts of Lobengula ï¿½s capital were burning on the further side of the stream. The flag was raised to signify the capture of Bulawayo and the successful conclusion of the Matabele War. Dr Leander Starr Jameson was among those who watched the flag being raised above the Bulawayo Drive that day, and he congratulated himself on having conquered Matabeleland in a remarkable cavalry blitzkrieg. Annually, on the 4th of November Bulawayo remembers the flag raising ceremony by the British South Africa Company, as this represents the official founding of Bulawayo as a town. But by one of those coincidences in which history rejoices, on that same day the City also commemorates the death and funeral of Mzilikazi , the founder of the Matabele nation .

This is wholly fitting, since Bulawayo is a city belonging to Africans and to Europeans alike, and its history cannot be divorced from that of the province of Matabeleland. Mzilikazi led the Matabele nation to the high veld around Bulawayo in 1840, and he ruled it until his death in late September of 1868. After prolonged ritual ceremonies his interment began on 2 November 1868 at Entumbane in the Matopo Hills and was concluded two days later, exactly twenty-five years before Jameson's frontiersmen nailed their flag to a tree. Like a phoenix, the present day multi-ethnic City of Bulawayo rose on the remains of King Lobengula's capital, with its wide tree-lined roads (the original streets of Bulawayo were constructed so as to allow a team of sixteen oxen to make a full turn), and a distribution of skyscrapers. Present day Bulawayo, is clearly unrecognizable from King Lobengula 's capital, as it bares no resemblance. In 1894 a town of a gridiron pattern was taking shape and In 1897 Bulawayo acquired a municipal status.

Bulawayo is essentially a military town: few places of its size can have seen so many battles fought around it. It was born in battle after Lobengula had defeated the Zwangendaba regiment and it was resurrected following the vital battle of Bembesi. The town is strategically placed on the apex of the great Zimbabwean plateau and commands access to it from the south, so that in a military sense whoever holds Bulawayo holds Zimbabwe. In 1896 when the Matabele found their temper again after the defeats of Jameson's war, Bulawayo became a symbol rather than a place, a symbol of the white men's determination to withstand the greatest challenge ever presented to them in southern African. The Matabele uprising has come to be known as the 1896-7 Rebellion, or “the Matabele war” or “the First Chimurenga”. Geographically, Bulawayo city is located in Matabeleland, and is west of Harare. It is strategically located as a link between South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and the rest of the country.

It thus has the dual role of being the regional capital for Southern Zimbabwe and is also a link to the interim of Southern Africa, with its proximity to South Africa it was natural for Bulawayo to develop as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe. The city has well established rail and road links to the whole country and its infrastructure is amongst the best in Zimbabwe. Bulawayo's situation is interesting from the geological as well as from a geographical point of view. The city stands on some of the most ancient rock ever laid down on earth. About 3,000 million years ago when the world was very young, a resilient belt of predominantly volcanic lavas, some thirty miles thick, which extruded there over the earth crust, and although granite intrusions, Karoo sediments, and finally" Kalahari sand later obscured much of this basement greenstone (as It is now called), a triangle of the archaic rock still remained exposed and today bears the buildings of the modem city. The northern apex of this triangular slab of greenstone lies beyond Queensdale and from that point reaches down to a granite base line running along the fringe of the Matopo Hills .

Located at a vantage point in the Sub-Saharan Region, Bulawayo forms the axis of a well planned road and rail network to the north, south, east and west of Zimbabwe. The first train arrived in Bulawayo in 1897, early colonial settlers using the region's immense natural wealth turned Bulawayo into a boom town, and Bulawayo grew to become an important industrial hub of Southern Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe). The arrival of railways in 1897 made it the country's major centre for mining, ranching and industrial activity. Many heavy industrials were located in the town. The town was a gateway to Southern Africa - linking the north and south through a rail and road network. For a long time Bulawayo was to remain the country's commercial capital while Harare was the seat of government. Bulawayo attained the status of being a city in 1943. The Bulawayo City Council was the first in Southern Rhodesia to establish a viable African Advisor Board and went further to establish home ownership schemes for Africans, being the first local authority to do so.

It was the first to embark on a planned programme of water supply; the first to provide educational facilities before there was any national policy or the subject; and led in having a progressive low-cost housing programme and a comprehensive social development blueprint. Before the collapse of Zimbabwe's rail infrastructure, Bulawayo was an important transport hub providing rail links between Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, and promoting the city's development as a major industrial centre. The city still contains much of what remains of Zimbabwe's heavy industry and food processing capability. Today Bulawayo is one of the country's most attractive cities, with a pleasing mixture of Victorian and modern architecture, which gives it a unique character. From a tourist point of view, Bulawayo has a lot to offer, either from within itself or around it. Bulawayo is located within the vicinity of Hwange National Park, The Victoria Falls (one of the wonders of the world), Khami Ruins , The Matobo Hills (where Cecil John Rhodes and as well as King Mzilikazi are buried) and Matobo National Park . Much closer to the city there is the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo, an attraction of great interest, is housed in a Victorian era building.

The complex also houses a craft shop, restaurant and several artists' studios. There is also the Zimbabwe's International Trade Fair (ZITF), Old Bulawayo , etc. Most of the tourist points worth visiting are highlighted here . It has been said that visitors to the city describe Bulawayo as the "Jewel Beneath the Zimbabwe Sun ", well worth visiting due to its vast array of treasures located in a truly unique setting. If you feel this is not an accurate profile and you have a more accurate one, or you have a clarification , you can submit your version of the Profile here Bulawayo - a cultural city Bulawayo Bulawayo Travel Guide Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city. Located in the South-west of the country, it is home to more than a million people. Bulawayo is the hub of the province of Matabeleland which comprises the whole western Zimbabwe from the South African border in the south to Victoria Falls in the north. The city has wide tree lined streets and is surrounded by beautifull parks, a legacy of Cecil John Rhodes. Within the city are many examples of early Victorian buildings which are maintained by the Bulawayo City council and landlords as heritage sites.

Bulawayo houses the country's main museum, the natural history museum, a railway museum, the Bulawayo Art gallery, which is housed in a most attractive turn of the century building, theatres, the Mzilikmzi Art and craft centre, good hotels and one of the finest caravan and camping parks in Zimbabawe. Bulawayo is also home to the Chipangali wildlife orphanage and the Kame Ruins. One of Zimbabawe's major tourist attractions is the Matopas National Park, less than an hour's drive from the city. As one leaves the city travelling south, many granite outcrops are seen. They increase in number and size as the distance from the city grows. By the time the Park is entered one is surrounded by a dramatic and enveloping scenery that is unique and extraordinary. Just twenty-two kilometers to the west of the Bulawayo is Kame Ruins, one of southern Africa's magnificent Late Iron Age ruins (now an Unesco World heritage Site.) The land adjoining the ruins has been made into a Nature Reserve by the City Council, called Mazwi Nature Reserve, where the visitor may walk, drive and picnic.

Also worth a visit and situated on the main Gwanda Road, 23km from Bulawayo is the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage and Research Centre, a home for orphaned, sick or abandoned wild animals. There are lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhino; many species of antelope and a large colletion of birds. Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre, situated just out of town off the Old Falls road, is definitely worth a visit where visitors can choose from a wide selection of skilfully crafted sculptures, basketry, pottery, beadwork and woodwork - all done by local people. Bulawayo Map: What our clients say: Thank you very much for your assistance with my accommodation at the Durban beach hotel. I have already positively responded to the survey and have included attached herewith some photos for publication. The weather... Bulawayo | Luck Bean Travel Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (Average 0 of 0 Ratings) Bulawayo The picturesque city of Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second largest city, the industrial centre of the country and home to more than a million people.

It is located in Matabeleland province which comprises the whole of western Zimbabwe, from the South African border in the south, Botswana to the west and Zambia in the north, […] Bulawayo The picturesque city of Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second largest city, the industrial centre of the country and home to more than a million people. It is located in Matabeleland province which comprises the whole of western Zimbabwe, from the South African border in the south, Botswana to the west and Zambia in the north, via Victoria Falls. It is a province rich in cultural heritage, art, traditional music and dance. The Bulawayo area has been a centre of habitation since the Stone Age, making it a unique African City that predates colonial establishment. Jacarandas in Bulawayo The city has wide jacaranda tree lined streets and beautiful parks, a legacy to the foresight of Cecil John Rhodes. Many early Victorian buildings are found in the city and are maintained by the Bulawayo City council and landlords, as heritage sites. Bulawayo houses numerous facilities worthy of visiting.

These include the country’s Natural History Museum, the Railway Museum, the Bulawayo Art Gallery, which is housed in a beautiful turn of the century building, theatres, the Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, good hotels and one of the finest caravan and camping parks in Zimbabwe. Located 22km south of Bulawayo is the Chipangali wildlife orphanage and less than an hour’s drive SSW is the Matopos National Park, a premier tourist attraction. Bulawayo City Hall Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre, situated just out of town, off the old Victoria Falls road, is definitely worthy of a visit. One can choose from a wide selection of beautifully crafted sculpture, basketry, pottery, beadwork and woodwork – all produced by local people. Twenty-two kilometers to the west of Bulawayo is the Khami Ruins, one of southern Africa’s magnificent Late Iron Age ruins (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Mazwi Nature Reserve has been developed by the City Council on the land adjoining the ruins, where visitor may walk, drive and picnic.

Book by Phone Zimbabwe: Lobel's Not Leaving Bulawayo - allAfrica.com Zimbabwe: Lobel's Not Leaving Bulawayo more The country's oldest bread maker, Lobel's Bread, is not planning to shut down its operations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, contrary to speculation that it could join many other firms that have relocated to Harare. The rumour-mill had been awash with speculation that the bread manufacturer was on the verge of shutting down its doors in Bulawayo. This had been fuelled by the closure of several of the company's retail outlets in the Central Business District (CBD) earlier this month. Sindiso Masuku, the acting chief executive officer of Lobel's Bread, told the Financial Gazette's Companies & Markets that the speculation was "malicious" as the bread maker's Bulawayo business was profitable. "At no time has Lobel's Bread ever considered dis-investing from Bulawayo. The company is actually enjoying good business in the City of Kings and is on an upward trajectory at the moment," he said. Masuku said the proliferation of competition in the bread industry was not a threat to their business.

"It is not in the tradition of Lobel's Bread to run away from competition, because competition is good for the economy at large and for the consumer in particular," he said. In 2013, the bread manufacturer installed a new equipment line at its plants in Harare and Bulawayo, as part of efforts to increase production. It is understood that its plant in Bulawayo is operating at 90 percent capacity. Masuku said a decision by the company to focus solely on bread production had necessitated the closure of its retail shops in the CBD. "Lobel's never had a confectionery unit along Jason Moyo Street, but operated a retail shop. The retail shop in question was shut down in order to consolidate operations and focus on our core business, which is bread production. The business does not need to continue competing with its retail partners," he said. In existence for 59 years since 1957 and founded by the Lobel family in Bulawayo, the company was sold to a consortium of indigenous Zimbabweans in 2002 before expanding its operations with the opening of a 60 000 capacity bread plant in 2004.

Five local banks -- FBC Bank, CBZ Bank, NMB Bank, Metbank and Capital Bank -- who were owed a total of US$14 million by the bread maker, took over the company to settle their debts and save the firm from collapse. The consortium of bankers, through their investment arm Altiwave, invested US$4,5 million in plant refurbishment and new equipment acquisition. Masuku said Lobel's debt had been "significantly reduced" in line with a scheme of arrangement and the company was on course to fulfil the obligations of the scheme, as and when they are due. Lobel's Bread has 1 465 employees, with 932 workers based in Harare and 533 based in Bulawayo. Meanwhile, National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president, Givemore Mesoemvura, said bread production nationally had declined in the last three months, a sign that ongoing economic pressures had not spared bread makers. "Our production capacity has come down to about 850 000 loaves per day from about one million loaves some three months ago.

Some bakeries have also shut down and these are in the small to medium range and these have shut down due to the biting economic environment. "For as long as things remain the way they are, characterised by cash shortages and companies closing down... we cannot see any growth in the future," he said. Zimbabwe's three biggest bread makers are Lobel's Bread, Bakers Inn and Proton; they control among themselves about 70 percent of the market, with the rest shared between smaller manufacturers. Mesoemvura allayed fears that bread shortages loomed in the country as payments to suppliers of raw materials took long to be processed, owing to the cash challenges in the country's financial institutions. This has hamstrung imports of critical raw materials. "We have been assured by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that payments to suppliers would be made. We procure outside flour, bread premix among other raw materials and bread makers had for sometime not been able to pay suppliers on time." newsdesk@fingaz.co.zw Copyright © 2016 Financial Gazette. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media ( allAfrica.com ).

To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. AllAfrica publishes around 800 reports a day from more than 140 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals , representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica . To address comments or complaints, please Contact us . About Bulawayo - My ASP.NET Application About Bulawayo Crest and Its Origin Bulawayo, the heart of a tremendous wide sweep of the western parts of Zimbabwe, is the second largest city in Zimbabwe with a population of about 1, 5 million fully integrated people of different races, tribal groupings and cultural backgrounds. The City of Bulawayo was originally the home of Lobengula, the last of the Matebele Kings. It is the centre of the three Matabeleland provinces – North and South, and Bulawayo.

Bulawayo attained town status on 1st June 1894 and had its first Municipal Council of 9 elected members in November 1897. By 1943, due largely to its rapid growth, Bulawayo had attained city status under Proclamation 21 of 1943. Bulawayo's location is interesting from the geological as well as from a geographical point of view. The City stands on some of the most ancient rock ever laid down on earth and is strategically placed on the apex of the great Zimbabwean plateau and commands access to it from the south. Located at a vantage point in the Sub-Saharan Region, Bulawayo forms the axis of a well-planned road and rail network to the north, south, east and west of Zimbabwe. It thus has the dual role of being the regional capital for Southern Zimbabwe and also a link to the interior of Southern Africa. With its proximity to South Africa, it was natural for Bulawayo to develop as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe. It is located as a link between South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and the rest of the country. The first train arrived in Bulawayo in 1897.

Early colonial settlers using the region's immense natural wealth turned Bulawayo into a boom town, and the City grew to become an important industrial hub of Southern Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe). The arrival of railways in 1897 made it the country's major centre for mining, ranching and industrial activity. Many heavy industrials were located in the town, which was the gateway to Southern Africa - linking the north and south through a rail and road network. For a long time Bulawayo was to remain the country's commercial capital while Harare was the seat of Government. Today, Bulawayo is one of the country's most attractive cities, with a pleasing mixture of Victorian and modern architecture which gives it a unique character. From a tourist point of view, Bulawayo has a lot to offer, either from within itself or the surrounds. The City is located near Hwange National Park, the Victoria Falls, Khami Ruins, the Matobo Hills (where Cecil John Rhodes as well as King Mzilikazi are buried) and Matobo National Park. In the city there is the National Art Gallery, an attraction of great interest, housed in a Victorian era building.

The complex also houses a crafts shop, restaurant and several artists' studios. There is also the Zimbabwe's International Trade Fair (ZITF), Old Bulawayo, and many other attractions. History of the City of Bulawayo History of the City of Bulawayo It is hard to have any discussion about the City of Bulawayo without acknowledging its deep seated roots to the history of the Ndebele people. The City is located on a site selected by King Lobengula, for his personal Kraal and became the capital in 1870 when he emerged as successor to King Mzilikazi, his father and founder of the Ndebele state. Initially named "Gibixhegu" the capital was later named "ko Bulawayo" and the king lived there until 1881. The name originally called ko Bulawayo is generally interpreted as the “place of slaughter or the place of killing”. Government House now stands on the actual site. During his reign national issues were discussed at "Entenjaneni" or "Enyokeni" which was the "Indaba tree”.

Bulawayo was occupied by the Pioneer Column on the 4th November 1893 and was declared a Town by Dr Jameson of the 1st June 1894. Bulawayo then became a City under Proclamation 41 on the 4th November 1943. Each year in November the City of Bulawayo celebrates the declaration of the City during the Month of November. To recognize the role of the past on the history of the City of Bulawayo, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe together with the Ministry of Home Affairs requested for the construction of Bulawayo in 1992. After consultations with the chiefs and the Khumalo clan, approval was granted. The capital was reconstructed on the exact site and the structures called "amaqhugwana", the bee-hive huts, are as close to the original structures and as historically representative as possible. The conditions and reasons for the reconstruction of Old Bulawayo underscored the importance of keeping amaKhumalo directly involved to ensure the culture of the place is preserved, including the careful handling of artifacts found at Old Bulawayo.

Crest and Its Origin Bulawayo, the heart of a tremendous wide sweep of the western parts of Zimbabwe, is the second largest city in Zimbabwe with a population of about 1, 5 million fully integrated people of different races, tribal groupings and cultural backgrounds. The City of Bulawayo was originally the home of Lobengula, the last of the Matebele Kings. It is the centre of the three Matabeleland provinces – North and South, and Bulawayo. Bulawayo attained town status on 1st June 1894 and had its first Municipal Council of 9 elected members in November 1897. By 1943, due largely to its rapid growth, Bulawayo had attained city status under Proclamation 21 of 1943. Bulawayo's location is interesting from the geological as well as from a geographical point of view. The City stands on some of the most ancient rock ever laid down on earth and is strategically placed on the apex of the great Zimbabwean plateau and commands access to it from the south.

Located at a vantage point in the Sub-Saharan Region, Bulawayo forms the axis of a well-planned road and rail network to the north, south, east and west of Zimbabwe. It thus has the dual role of being the regional capital for Southern Zimbabwe and also a link to the interior of Southern Africa. With its proximity to South Africa, it was natural for Bulawayo to develop as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe. It is located as a link between South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and the rest of the country. The first train arrived in Bulawayo in 1897. Early colonial settlers using the region's immense natural wealth turned Bulawayo into a boom town, and the City grew to become an important industrial hub of Southern Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe). The arrival of railways in 1897 made it the country's major centre for mining, ranching and industrial activity. Many heavy industrials were located in the town, which was the gateway to Southern Africa - linking the north and south through a rail and road network. For a long time Bulawayo was to remain the country's commercial capital while Harare was the seat of Government.

Today, Bulawayo is one of the country's most attractive cities, with a pleasing mixture of Victorian and modern architecture which gives it a unique character. From a tourist point of view, Bulawayo has a lot to offer, either from within itself or the surrounds. The City is located near Hwange National Park, the Victoria Falls, Khami Ruins, the Matobo Hills (where Cecil John Rhodes as well as King Mzilikazi are buried) and Matobo National Park. In the city there is the National Art Gallery, an attraction of great interest, housed in a Victorian era building. The complex also houses a crafts shop, restaurant and several artists' studios. There is also the Zimbabwe's International Trade Fair (ZITF), Old Bulawayo, and many other attractions. History of the City of Bulawayo History of the City of Bulawayo It is hard to have any discussion about the City of Bulawayo without acknowledging its deep seated roots to the history of the Ndebele people.

The City is located on a site selected by King Lobengula, for his personal Kraal and became the capital in 1870 when he emerged as successor to King Mzilikazi, his father and founder of the Ndebele state. Initially named "Gibixhegu" the capital was later named "ko Bulawayo" and the king lived there until 1881. The name originally called ko Bulawayo is generally interpreted as the “place of slaughter or the place of killing”. Government House now stands on the actual site. During his reign national issues were discussed at "Entenjaneni" or "Enyokeni" which was the "Indaba tree”. Bulawayo was occupied by the Pioneer Column on the 4th November 1893 and was declared a Town by Dr Jameson of the 1st June 1894. Bulawayo then became a City under Proclamation 41 on the 4th November 1943. Each year in November the City of Bulawayo celebrates the declaration of the City during the Month of November.

To recognize the role of the past on the history of the City of Bulawayo, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe together with the Ministry of Home Affairs requested for the construction of Bulawayo in 1992. After consultations with the chiefs and the Khumalo clan, approval was granted. The capital was reconstructed on the exact site and the structures called "amaqhugwana", the bee-hive huts, are as close to the original structures and as historically representative as possible. The conditions and reasons for the reconstruction of Old Bulawayo underscored the importance of keeping amaKhumalo directly involved to ensure the culture of the place is preserved, including the careful handling of artifacts found at Old Bulawayo. © 2017 - Bulawayo City Council

Question: In which country is the city of Bulawayo
Answer: Zimbabwe